Bottas to stay at Mercedes

LEWIS HAMILTON will be partnered by Valtteri Bottas for a second season after Mercedes confirmed the Finn has been retained for next year.

Bottas, below, who replaced reigning world champion Nico Rosberg following his shock retirement, has won two races this year and is third in the standings, 41 points adrift of championship leader Hamilton heading into Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old has agreed a one-year deal, which allows Mercedes to keep their options open, with Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen both contracted at Red Bull until the end of 2018.

Hamilton’s deal with Mercedes also expires at the end of next year but the Englishman is expected to sign a new long-term contract. “We gave Valtteri a big challenge this year by joining the team at the 11th hour, stepping up to the forefront of F1 and pairing with the sport’s best driver as his team-mate,” said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. “With that in mind, his results have been probably even more impressive. “Overall, the balance of his performances and his upward trajectory made it a no-brainer for us to continue with him. “The bonus factors are the respect and sportsmanship between our two drivers. The chemistry and dynamic between Valtteri and Lewis work.” Mercedes lead Ferrari in the constructors’ standings by 62 points and are odds-on for a fourth consecutive title.